Search - Clannad :: Diolaim

Breath-Taking Early Albums By Irish Supergroup Clannad!

Barron Laycock | Temple, New Hampshire United States | 08/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The wide music featured in this reprised album of Clannad's first several albums originally released on an obscure Irish label is a rare glimpse into the group`s stunning early work and their matchless contemporary orchestral arrangements of traditional Gaelic folk songs. This album is Gaelic folk oriented, and is a wonderfully acoustic treat featuring with all the amazing virtuosity this very musically-talented extended family of sisters, brothers and uncles from a small village in rural Ireland is noted for. Although I enjoy their newer work, I am always drawn back to this particular collection of their original seminal work as an exciting young folk group with a special musical magic of their own. From the stirring opening chorus of "Dulaman" (Seaweed) to the haunting instrumental "Eleanor Plunkett" to the cautionary traditional song about the rivalry of two siblings to the winsome harp sounds of "Fairly Shot Of Her" this album showcases the group at the apex of their folk powers, and they never make a false step here. The early group included Enya, Maire Brennan's younger sister, who later went solo to become a stellar "new age' performer. My own personal favorites are "Suiul Ran (Irish Love Song), sung both in English and Gaelic, "By Chance It Was", and the haunting "Lament For Owen Roe" a wonderful harp instrumental work. This is rally a double album crammed full of wonderful authentic Gaelic interpretations of traditional Irish music by a group that was singularly stunning in their ability to recreate it in a particularly spellbinding way for a contemporary audience. Whenever I hear the album I remember the gorgeous Celtic countryside and the time I spent in Galway along the Irish coastline. This is authentic Gaelic folk music at its best! Enjoy!"

*****ELEANOR PLUNKETT*****

t'amant | WA | 04/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know who she is...sounds like she could really be a wallflower, but if she is half as beautiful as her song, I'd probably fall in love (nice instrumental, with Maire playing harp along with guitar and flute - simple but sweet...the best kind?). And what about her perhaps even more striking sisters on here: FAIRLY (#4 - another sharp instrumental lullaby...recital on harp, flute & guitars in the front parlor...she can cook, a keeper!); SIUIL (#5 - a love song so pretty, highlighting Maire's gorgeous voice, the guitar is very lush...mix of Gaelic and English, though lyrics and translations would have been a help...she carries YOU away); and especially the transcendentally fine CHUAIGH (#13 - in Gaelic again, my favorite on here, I would love to know the storyline, but her beauty speaks for itself...language and instrumentation in heavenly unity...is that Enya providing the harmony? I'd like to make an offer!). Even CUMHA compares favorably (#11, a nice little instrumental that is more common sounding, but still a very lilting, pleasant charmer...she is still presentable at the ball, maybe someday she could be dressed up a little more to attract attention). I would be remiss for not honoring the last pretty thing, COMLEACH (#14, last but certainly not least in the melodic string of pretty ballads...this one jazzier with string bass, cool guitar AGAIN and Maire's sweet voice...WOW! Sophisticated & well-spoken). By Chance It Was deserves honorable mention in the ballad category, very spooky, melancholy and lush.



Okay, sorry for the awkward analysis but I do FEEL this music and its beauty like a, well you know... This family touches me musically, emotionally, spiritually and I admire their great talents. Friends who know my usual music listening (acid rock, psychedelic, fusion jazz, etc. - I've been a guitar player for almost 30 years) may be surprised that I have such a love for this fine old folk music. It isn't as much of a stretch as you would think, listen to #6, Oheanainn Sugradh, a taste of psychedelic Clannad (kickin' up the drums and Tullish guitar and flute leads, they can rock!). Or An Gaohar Ban (#12), another rollicking Celtic jam. My Scottish/Irish heritage wife and I rediscovered Clannad when our second darling son was born 10 years ago, so this reminds us of that (he listened to them nursing often so I'm SURE it anchors special feelings somewhere, the female/song analogy will seem very on target), and we listen to this as we go off to sleep all the time ...who knows how it has permeated our dreams). I need to mention that my wife really favors the funny/upbeat songs on here like Two Sisters, Dulaman, the Galtee Hunt and Rince...(#9). There is a nice balance of styles and moods for all personality types. The Maire vocal solo of the very traditional Gaoth...(#10) is the circle on the Celtic cross, the reminder that, at heart, Clannad is a very respectful purveyor of the essence of Irish culture and music (the unifying purpose). Thank you Brennan family for this transcendent musical collection and for sharing your love with all! And Maire, your heavenly singing has brought me calming peace so many times, I don't know how to express my thanks.



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The Pre-Best of....

Anna | 09/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great CD in case if you still haven't managed to get the earliest albums by Clannad like Clannad 2 or Fuaim. Whenever you get the feeling that Clannad got too deep into pop, mainstream and commercialism, An Diolaim is surely the best way to flee to those olden times both of Irish music and Clannad. There is also the old recording of An Choinleach Glas an Fhomhair, later re-recorded and re-issued on Magical Rings. Quite haunting are harp-instrumentals like Fair Shot of Her and Eleanor Plunkett, but most of all I'd emphasize really beautiful Chuaigh me na Rossan, where the group, pace by pace - which is evident in adding the electric organ - treads toward what was later on to be one of the most interesting, most haunting and most inovative sounds in the history of contemporary music. Still, while listening to this CD, it is hard not to think: My... Who could have said..."